[optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera

From: Jef Jodell <mpscra@xxxxxxxxx>

To: "optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 16:55:56 -0800 (PST)

Some very good points there!
-j
________________________________
From: Steve Lusk <slusk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, November 6, 2011 11:53 AM
Subject: [optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera
We had used the topcon armrests in the past but the fact that they are, for the
most part, a stationary rest that mostly just swivels, didn't make it as
adjustable as we liked for some of our patients. With the lack of a table
mounting mechanism that facilitates easy movement, we found the topcon rests
not as adaptive as we wanted. It was fine for the majority of patients but
that 10 to 15 percent with restrictive problems, be it injurious or age related
problems, we liked the ability to slide the rest anywhere on the table to
provide more comfort with these patients. Another use is for these arm rests is
during IV injections for Photo Dynamic Therapy. We infuse the patients in the
exam chair where the laser is to take place. This saves time in moving the
patient from infusion to laser. The foam armrests are nicely adaptable to the
chair armrests or even the patients lap. The foam will mold itself to whatever
it sits on and results in a stable platform
for the arm. Most retina practices are destined to have a grid of satellite
offices they must cover. If you are like us, we have a set list of equipment
that must be carried from office to office. The arm rests are only a small part
of the total sum of equipment but the foam is a light weight and easily packed
item.
As for the trash and disposable aspect, we looked at it as an opportunity to
recycle the foam, if only for a short time, that is used in the shipment of
lucentis orders. As these packaging materials are destined for the landfill
anyway, it was an opportunity to re-use them in a functional, as well as cheap
manner. It takes literally 30 seconds to cut two wedges from one block and we
replace them as needed, usually once a week. You can add a layer of permanency
to the wedges with the addition of window shrink film. This is a cheap way to
make them easy to clean. There seemed to be more positives than negatives in
the use of the foam armrests.
Our 2 cents anyway, Hope this helps.
Steve
Steve Lusk, CRA
Vistar Eye Center Retina Consultants
5296 Peters Creek Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: (540) 342-3400 ext. 4731
Fax: (540) 362-1155
slusk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.vistareye.com <http://www.vistareye.com/>
________________________________
From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Jef Jodell
Sent: Thu 11/3/2011 10:00 PM
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera
I didn't have any trouble with the height of the Topcon armrests from the
table, even with fairly small/shorter/younger people, if I had one of those
chairs you could pump people's height up on after they were seated. If your
chair was already too low, not appropriate for the patient then the extra
height of them over a piece of foam could be an issue.
I had an issue with the foam getting/looking dirty. Of course you can cover it
each time, but if you do a lot of FAs in a day, that time adds up, plus it's a
waste of materials, and generates trash.
I found the Topcon units are a good design, and reasonably priced, but the
threads are too small. I had the good fortune of knowing a tool maker who used
to re-thread them for me with roughly twice as big a thread. You could stand on
it and not have problem, after that modification. Maybe someone from Topcon
will read this and take it seriously. The larger thread on them makes them the
best all around, and like an AllCald cookware, will then last a lifetime.
Still, you should not have to get a buddy after hours to recut your metal
swivel joint to have reliability at work.
________________________________
From: Thomas C. Monego <Thomas.C.Monego@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 3, 2011 4:44 PM
Subject: [optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera
I have used canoe carrier foam blocks, cut at an angle. As all the Topcon arm
rests I ever used stripped at the swivel point. I also felt the attached arm
rests were too high for a lot of patients, the foam blocks work well, patients
think they are comfortable.
Tom
From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Steve Lusk
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 3:55 PM
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera
We have completely gone away from using clamp on armrests in favor of using
foam wedges. We get the foam from a likely source, it is the foam blocks that
ships in the lucentis boxes. We use an electric carving knife and cut one block
into a wedge shape that will sit securely on the table and allows you to place
the patients arm in many more comfortable positions that the bolt on type.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Steve Lusk, CRA
Vistar Eye Center Retina Consultants
5296 Peters Creek Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: (540) 342-3400 ext. 4731
Fax: (540) 362-1155
slusk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.vistareye.com <http://www.vistareye.com/>
________________________________
From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of CPMC Ophthalmic Diagnostic
Center
Sent: Thu 11/3/2011 11:54 AM
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optimal] Re: Armrest for fundus camera
Oak Tree and Die. Just sent you a business card. About 250.00 for arm rest
with attached light. Can clamp to a table. I have mine permanently mounted,
one on each side.
Denice Barsness, CRA, COMT, ROUB, CDOS, FOPS
Ophthalmic Diagnostic Center
CPMC Department of Ophthalmology
2100 Webster Street Suite 212
San Francisco CA 94115
(415) 600-3937 FAX (415) 600-6563
From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Kirsten Locke
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 6:26 AM
To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optimal] Armrest for fundus camera
It has been awhile since I saw any messages regarding armrests that can be
attached to the table of the fundus camera for FA.
I tried to look through the archives but could not find anything. I'm in the
need to purchase an armrest for my Canon camera. The camera table is only just
large enough to hold the camera so there is no place for an arm to be propped
up with a foam pillow or the like. I will need something that can clamp on to
the table. Preferable something that can detach quickly and moved to the other
side.
Anyone out there that can recommend a supplier?
Thanks,
Kirsten
Kirsten Locke, CRA., RN., FOPS.
Senior Research Associate
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Retina Foundation of the Southwest
9900 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75231
Voice: 214-363-3911 x114 or 214-739-1469
Fax: 214-363-4538
Email: kglocke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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